Analyzing Food Deserts in Michigan City
Beachfront of Michigan City. (photo courtesy: The Times of Northwest Indiana)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowResearch is underway in Michigan City to assess how widespread food deserts are in the city. The Economic Development Corp. Michigan City is partnering with Purdue Extension to cultivate ideas for tackling the food desert designation in parts of the community.
Purdue Extension team is leading a study to collect and analyze data and community input with the goal to enhance food access in areas without a grocery store or food cooperative.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines a food desert as areas with relatively high poverty rates and low accessibility to resources.
According to EDCMC, the east and west sides of the city have been designated food deserts.
“The study will utilize community meetings, surveys and data breakdowns to really dig deep to identify issues and possible solutions for bringing food to the table of those most in need,” said EDCMC Executive Director Clarence Hulse.
The Purdue Extension team will assist with putting together the survey that will go out to those in the food desert designated areas as an initial way to gather input. Beyond the surveys, focus groups will be put together later in the year.
The researchers will also conduct tours of the community.
“These steps are what we need to take to inform evidence-based strategies,” said Michael Wilcox, Purdue Extension assistant director and program leader for community development. “We want this to be community-driven and a community-focused effort.”
Wilcox expects to have strategies and the report ready by the end of 2021.